UN Envoy Criticizes Burma

A UN human rights envoy to Burma says the country's approach to human rights has not improved substantially over the past year, despite a change in leadership in the military government. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro told the Human Rights Commission Tuesday in Geneva that only full and unconditional release of all Burma's political prisoners would pave the way for national reconciliation and the democratic process.

He said the ouster of Burma's Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt last year has not led to greater tolerance, and added the continuing human rights abuses seem to be worse in areas where ethnic minorities live.

Burma's representative rejected the envoy's assessment, saying Burma has cooperated with the Commission. He said the military government has tried to involve political opponents and other groups in its seven-stage road map to democracy.

Information for this report is provided by AP.